Hogmanay is the Scottish name for New Year's Eve celebrations. The word refers to the night itself and, more broadly, to the traditional Scottish observances surrounding the arrival of the New Year.
Hogmanay customs vary across Scotland but commonly include gatherings, singing, fireworks, and first-footing. In first-footing, the first person to enter a household after midnight is traditionally expected to bring symbolic gifts such as food or drink. Local customs differ, and modern celebrations often combine older traditions with large public events.
Edinburgh hosts one of the most internationally recognized Hogmanay celebrations, with torchlight processions, concerts, and a major fireworks display. Hogmanay is not the same holiday as Burns Night, which honors poet Robert Burns in January, or St Andrew's Day, Scotland's national day.
The origins of the word are debated. Scholars have proposed several linguistic sources, including French, Norse, and Scots traditions, so one single etymology is not universally accepted.